Robots rapidly adapt to real-world tasks

The second World Humanoid Robot Games, which concluded in Beijing on Wednesday, demonstrated the rapid advances being made in the field of embodied artificial intelligence, with humanoid robots breaking records and completing increasingly complex real-world tasks.

Rather than just being a showcase for cutting-edge technology, the five-day event put robots to the test in demanding physical and practical scenarios, helping turn technological breakthroughs into solutions for everyday applications, experts said.

They said these breakthroughs were driven by advances in algorithms, hardware and reinforcement training, among other factors.

One of the highlights of the games was the tug-of-war competition between humanoid robots. Debuting as an official event, it tested the robots' balance, coordination and grip. Unlike humans, who have flexible toes and rich tactile senses, robots' feet usually only have two flat surfaces the size of a palm.

The tug-of-war adopted a two-on-two format, with each game lasting two minutes. The team that first pulled the red mark in the middle of the rope over its own boundary was the victor. The entire competition was completed autonomously through AI algorithms — the robots needed to sense changes in tension, adjust their posture and center of gravity, and coordinate with teammates — while staying upright and pulling forcefully.

Gong Xiao, a member of the games' organizing committee and deputy director of the China Software Testing Center, said that for humanoid robots, the tug-of-war tested far more than just strength. It tested their agility and intelligence. They had to remain stable under sustained pulling forces, keep both feet behind the line and continue exerting force with arms.

During the tug-of-war final on Tuesday, the Yobotics Team from Shandong province won the lightweight tug-of-war title for robots weighing no more than 40 kilograms.

Kong Deran, Yobotics' algorithm engineer, told local media that the team made the robots imitate the posture of humans during the tug-of-war to learn to perform autonomous tug-of-war, analyze opponents' strength and adjust posture.

She said that the robots' hands were programmed for maximum grip, adding that her team had an ingenious design: One hand was positioned palm-down and the other palm-up to reduce the risk of the rope slipping.

Kong said that, in the near future, these hands could be applied in real-life scenarios. If robots are expected to enter households and assist people with everyday tasks, they will need capable hands. The ability of robots to grip a rope in a tug-of-war match can facilitate their practical application.

Liu Weiliang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said that this year's World Humanoid Robot Games featured 51 events, 21 of which were scenario-based competitions.

He said that these events recreated real-world tasks ranging from sorting medicines and cleaning homes to opening bottles, tightening screws with dexterous hands, assembling power tools, picking up beans with tweezers and connecting cables.

Robots were also required to cope with complex surfaces, changing lighting conditions and unexpected task changes, he added.

During the games, a new generation of young developers emerged as a driving force.

Beijing Information Science and Technology University sent 49 teams and took part in 119 categories. One of the university's teams reached the final of the super heavyweight freestyle combat event this year, while its 5-versus-5 large-team soccer squad finished fourth globally.

Li Lianpeng, deputy dean of the university's College of Future Digitelligence Industry, said the university has used competitions to enhance learning, teaching and innovation.

Contact the writers at huqing@chinadaily.com.cn